Electric vehicles and building upgrades help reduce costs and emissions

Communities and organizations across the Columbia Basin are taking action to make their buildings and operations more energy efficient, more resilient to climate change and lower in greenhouse gas emissions, with support from Columbia Basin Trust.

“Non-profit organizations are essential to delivering the services and resources people depend on each day,” said Ulli Mueller, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust. “By reducing costs, shifting energy use and adapting to the impacts of climate change, like increased wildfire risk or extreme weather, non-profits can strengthen their sustainability and continue delivering the programs and supports people rely on to make life better.”

The Trust’s Non-profit SMART (Sustainable, Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Transition) program supports projects that improve energy efficiency and strengthen climate resilience. These include infrastructure upgrades such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation or fire-resistant siding and decking. The program also helps organizations reduce operating costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of electric vehicles and installation of charging stations.

This fall, the Trust is providing more than $1.5 million for 31 projects across the region. View all building and property improvement projects  and electric vehicle and charging station projects below.

Summit Community Services Society

Serving Cranbrook, Kimberley and communities in between, Summit Community Services Society will purchase an electric van and charging station to assist with senior-focused programs like Better at Home.

“Limited transportation options can really hinder seniors’ ability to connect,” said Thea Dahl, Healthy Aging Program Lead, Summit Community Services Society. “This eco-friendly van will help people get to where they need to be while reducing our reliance on gas-powered vehicles.

Yahk Kingsgate Recreation Society

Serving Yahk, Kingsgate and nearby communities, the Yahk Kingsgate Recreation Society operates the community hall, which also serves as the local emergency centre. Trust support will help install solar panels, a new energy-efficient hot water tank and fire-resistant decking to lower costs and improve wildfire resilience.

“The energy savings will allow us to put dollars back into other efforts for the community,” said Cynthia Rose, President, Yahk Kingsgate Recreation Society. “And the new fire-resistant decking completes the work we started to make the hall wildfire resistant.”

Lardeau Valley Community Club

The Club manages and maintains the Lardeau Valley Community Centre in Meadow Creek and nearby amenities including a shower house and laundry facility. With Trust support, it will install a heat pump, LED lighting, roof insulation, and a solar array to reduce energy costs and keep the service sustainable.

“Power usage has become a real issue for us,” said Greg Underwood, President, Lardeau Valley Community Club.

“With a heat pump and solar installation, we expect to see significant energy savings that will allow us to keep the facility available and comfortable.”

Columbia Senior Wellness Society

The Columbia Senior Wellness Society supports seniors in Fruitvale, Montrose and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area A. With Trust support, it will purchase a multi-passenger electric vehicle and charging station to help seniors access appointments and community activities.

“Having the EV will help fill the gap seniors face when they can’t easily access transportation,” said Jayme Fowler, Project Director, Columbia Senior Wellness Society. “It will help people maintain dignity, self-sufficiency and connection to community.”

Columbia Basin Trust supports the efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin to strengthen social, economic and environmental well-being. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.

Lead image: With support from Columbia Basin Trust, the Yahk Kingsgate Recreation Society will improve energy efficiency and reduce costs with the addition of a new on-demand hot water tank and solar panels at their community hall.  Columbia Basin Trust photos

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